The SEATTLE HAWK Special
Italy A short field of 6 older males is set for the 10 furlong $60,000 SEATTLE HAWK Special. Older is a key term here as we have an 8 year old, a 7 year old, 2 six year olds, and a couple of babies who are only 4.
PP1 SOPRANO’S RUN(GB) 6/1 7 year old horse makes his stakes debut in start number 26. Trainer stallanden claimed the son of Kayf Tara(GB) out of his last race for $40k and must have been impressed by his works since. His last win came 4 back at this distance – against $10k starter allowance runners. Didn’t start on the dirt until 11 races back, won his first 4 on the surface, and has been very impressive until his last 3. Will have to regain some of that prior form to be competitive at all with these, however.
PP2 PEYRESURDE 5/2 4 year old Sadler’s Wells colt returns to more familiar company after 4 tries against graded competition which resulted in mixed results but no wins. He was ranked high enough as a 3yo to make the fields of the Bluegrass Derby and the New Yorker though he didn’t fare very well in either. Breeder/trainer sansebas apparently has him well placed here as he goes off as the 2nd choice in the betting. Distance could be a question for this deep closer as this is a furlong farther than his longest winning trip, but the trip should set up nicely for him as he will have plenty of speed to run at late.
PP3 SCALE EXPECTATION 5/1 Fairly lightly raced 8 year old has won just 3 of his 23 starts. Has been running exclusively in stakes the last 9 races for trainer catrealm but as lit the board in only 2 of those. You have to go all the way back to week 2062 to find this son of Southern Halo’s last win. He’s brought home some checks in all those stakes but hasn’t fared as well as he did against easier and time might have caught up with this warrior. He’ll gun for the lead but will have company. Look for him to fade late.
PP4 LITE WELLS 8/5 Another lightly raced horse, this 6 year old son of Sadler’s Wells has won 8 of his 15 starts, including an impressive 2 1/4 length score last time out in a 9.5 furlong stakes in Japan. He has shown he can win on the lead and from just off the pace for breeder/trainer jrogue4. He’s tried this distance only once, as a 3 year old, and faded badly but look for a much better performance since he’s matured. Would like to see better than a 9% jock aboard but he’s a deserving favorite and definitely the one to beat.
PP5 FAST FLYING II(AUS) 13/1 6 year old son of Flying Spur(AUS) returns from a 6 week rest. Disappointing try against tougher in the Equinics but put in a decent return in an allowance before the short break. He’s won a stakes race in his only try over the Italian course. That came at the distance of 2 miles and he would be a big threat with a little added distance against these. Draws a decent jock. Not sure if he has the speed to stay up front with the favorite but he’s shown he can win pressing the pace. Could really add value to the exotics as the longshot.
PP6 FORTY NINTH STORM 3/1 4 year old Forty Niner colt races in the colors of dundey3. Makes a quick turn around from a disappointing effort 2 weeks ago in a GR 2 in Hong Kong. He worked through his conditions before steppping up to stakes company and got his 1st stakes win 3 races back. He’s another closer who will love the hot pace in front of him. Gets top jock aboard. Will be dangerous if he can make a quick rebound and if pasta is more agreeable than chinese.
PICKS aaaaaccchhhheeeewwwwwww….that’s the sneeze from all the chalk I’m inhaling as I look at this. Can’t really separate the top 2 so might play an exacta box 2/4. The tri is more intriguing and could pay decently if Fast Flying II can keep up enough to grab 3rd as the longshot.